Airport worker survives lightning strike on Florida runway

FORT MYERS, Fla. - A man was hospitalized after he was hit by lightning while on the job at a Florida airport.

Airport surveillance captured the moment a bolt of lightning struck a plane on the Southwest Florida International Airport runway and traveled through 21-year-old Austin Dunn's body.

According to a report from WZVN, Dunn was just released from the hospital, nearly two weeks after the traumatic incident. He suffered third-degree burns all over his body, but he is recovering as best as he can.

His family says it's a miracle he's alive.

"We knew he wouldn't give up. Once we knew he was alive. It was a relief but it was definitely the scariest thing, you don't expect it...you don't expect it," Autumn Dunn said.

The footage shows at least three workers were out on the tarmac during a lightning storm backing up a Sun Country plane for take off. One man is directing the front of the plane, another is operating the vehicle that's pushing it onto the runway.

Then Dunn comes into frame, wearing an orange uniform. He spends a minute or so working under the plane's wing before a lightning bolt strikes the tail of the aircraft and travels through the fuselage, right into Dunn's body.

His co-workers begin running frantically and try to flag someone down for help.

Southwest Florida International Airport officials say the airport’s lightning warning system was activated at the time Dunn was hit.